German watch manufacturer Meistersinger is revered in elite watch collecting circles for its crisp, clean designs that promote simple timekeeping. The single hand centrally mounted on the dial of a Meistersinger watch offers the wearer something remarkably unique to tell the time from, not to mention a stylish companion for wearing with smart, casual and professional attire. The company was founded in the year 2001 by a man with a very revolutionary yet simplified idea. Manfred Brassier envisioned a clear dial design that embodied the qualities he had come to appreciate during his previous line of work as a jeweller and then as a watchmaker. Meistersinger watches are designed on the theory of ancient timekeeping. The concept stripped things back to basics, enabling the wearer to focus on the fundamental aspects of timekeeping whilst avoiding distraction often caused by many other elements on a dial.
Meistersinger watches convey a sense of authenticity and ingenuity. Inspired by the hourglass and the ancient sundial, both of these tools tell the time via a primordial design that has prevailed throughout the history of accurate timekeeping. The dial designs of Meistersinger watches echo the look of a sundial, owing to their unusual and eye catching look. Meistersinger has won itself many awards for the simplicity of its dial designs, which can easily be worn with a casual outfit over the weekend or something formal or sophisticated by night. Meistersinger is a 6 time winner of the Red Dot Design Award and the company has also won the WatchPro Watch of the Year award back in 2014.
The name Meistersinger derives from a group of civil poets and singers. From the year 2014 and onwards the brand began focussing on developing its own movements. This was a ground breaking landmark in the company’s story as it enabled it to continue manufacturing stylish, luxury watches at an affordable price whilst remaining true to the values of its heritage. The movement itself took a total of two years to fully develop, and it boasted twin mainspring barrels for an improved power reserve. The MSH01 was capable of a running time 120 hours, making models equipped with this engine an appealing collector's piece for those who frequently like to alternate with other models. Movements that followed, namely the MSH02 and MSA01, won awards for their clever design and reliability.
The Singulator movement was Meistersinger’s next movement. Equipped with a central hand that served as the hour reader, watches powered by their movement, which finished manufacture in 2008, were infused with an unmistakable style, offering an unconventional way to read the time. Following this came other popular collections like the Adhaesio and Dalthora models unveiled in 2015 and 2016 respectively. The latter was equipped with a jumping hour, making way for the Linscaoe which followed in 2018.
Plans for Meistersinger’s Singulator movement were underway in 2008. The central hand in this case became an hour reader as opposed to the traditional single, centrally mounted Meistersinger minute hand. The brand’s column wheel was launched 6 years later, followed by the Adhaesio in 2015. The Salthora models in 2016 were equipped with jumping hour technology, making way for the Lunscape in 2018 with a central moon phase feature that lasts over 100 years. The N°01 Meistersinger watch, however, has remained a well loved classic and by far one of the most popular timepieces to be owned by any one avid Meistersinger enthusiast. Its single hand, pointing to one unique moment in time, epitomises the values of the brand perfectly.
